My expert machinist friend (mold/tool maker) calls it "couch machining". It appears like he isn't working but really in his head he is laying out the entire process from start to finish. Then when he goes to CAM it up it flows very quickly and the entire part is already mostly planned.

I think often people who don't visualize in their head can't grasp this...it appears as inactivity. The reality is it seems to be a hyperactivity...procrastination comes from having too many tasks and directions with unsolved solutions. (in my case...)

Another way to put it I have heard is "Thinking is working". If it doesn't appear like I am working...I am likely thinking.